Dear Friends and Family,
Did you know that each year, more than 15,000 children, that’s 40 per day, are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the U.S.? I would have never thought that I would be one of those people. That is why its time for me to start raising money for SDES! I have had Type I Diabetes for three years now and I want to help other kids with diabetes!
I am now on an insulin pump and doing great. Diabetes hasn’t stopped me from having fun because now I know how to count my carbs, check my blood sugar, and handle my insulin pump. I learn a lot about taking care of myself from SDES!!
When I was in the hospital and found out I had diabetes, they gave us a bunch of papers that my parents needed to fill out. In that stack of papers was a brochure for SDES. It’s a non-profit charity that offers diabetes camps and education programs for families like mine. This will be my third year to attend their camp! Last year I had so much fun! We canoed, did the zip-line, swam, played on a water pad, shot a rifle, went fishing, and did some other fun stuff. After breakfast every day we go down to a room and have some people who speak to us about our diabetes and what we can do to handle it. They teach us how to be self-dependent with our diabetes like when we are spending the night with someone or don’t have our parents around at the time. We have a Diabetic Counselor and a ‘Counselor in training’ with us at all times so we don’t get lost. They also both have diabetes like me. (I want to be a counselor one day) All the kids in my cabin have diabetes just like me too! Camp is so important, because kids who don’t know or learn to manage there blood sugar can having complications like going blind, kidney disease, stroke, and even shorter lives.
My family has learned that around 80% of the families who participate in camp or family education programs are only able to attend through a scholarship or through donations. The program cost range is about $600-$1,200 per child per camp. This year we are raising money by encouraging friends and family with a heart for children to consider joining us and donating to the SDES Scholarship Fund.
I got this info from their web site: SDES is a tax-deductible donation to Southeastern Diabetes Education Services, a 501(c)3 non-profit charity and any amount is appreciated.
By collecting donation I can help other kids and families learn about diabetes and how to take care of themselves or their child. You can donate through this website or contact me if you want to write a check.
I want a cure for diabetes, and I want to be one of the first to find it. But, until then SDES gives me the encouragement and information I need to stay healthy while I get ready to find that cure!
Thank you SO much,
Katelynn Weatherford